Sam Dodsworth, a retired and wealthy automobile manufacturer from the Midwest, embarks on a European vacation with his wife Fran to celebrate his newfound freedom. While Sam is content and eager to experience the rich history and culture of Europe, Fran is keen on social climbing and mingling with the high society she dreams of joining. Their differing desires soon create a rift in their relationship. Fran grows increasingly discontent with Sam's simple pleasures and desires a more glamorous lifestyle, leading her to fraternize with other men who can provide the sophistication she craves.

As they travel through various European cities, Fran's restlessness drives a wedge between them. The disparity in their expectations of life and happiness deepens, heightening their personal conflicts. Sam, who initially tries to accommodate Fran's wishes, starts to see the futility in compromising his values and identity to meet her ever-growing demands. This journey becomes a crucial period of self-discovery and realization for both Sam and Fran, culminating in a series of decisions that will profoundly affect the course of their relationship. Through moments of tension and introspection, they each face the inevitable truths about themselves and their marriage.